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Thursday, April 27, 2006

Power Surge: The madness of King George

I recommend the sober reading of Power Surge: The Constitutional Record of George W. Bush by Gene Healy and Timothy Lynch. Published by the Cato Institute this report debunks the insane notion that George Bush is an advocate of limited government. It is almost funny that some "libertarians" can actually attempt to defend this man -- though none do so convincingly. Bush is the most anti-libertarian president in years.

This report notes: "From free speech and unreasonable searches to war powers, habeas corpus, and federalism we will examine the president's words and actions in light of the constitutional duties imposed by the oath of office. The pattern that emerges is one of a ceaseless push for power, unchecked by either the courts or Congress, one, in short of disdain for constitutional limits."

They conclude: "On the campaign trail in 2000 then-governor Bush typically ended his stump speech with a dramatic flourish: he pantomimed the oath of office. But the oath is more than a political gimmick; for he founding generation it was a solemn pledge, designed to bind the officeholder to the country and the Constitution he serves. Throughout his tenure, President Bush has repeatedly dishonored that pledge. And because of that, he was weakened he constitutional order on which the American way of life depends."

Conservatives in the US tried to impeach Bill Clinton for far less. What has happened to their purported support for the Constitution? Why aren't conservatives leading the campaign to have Bush impeached. Clinton, may or may not have deserved impeachment for what he did. But Bush has engaged in active treason against the Constitution and the so-called small government conservative movement is almost silent. One can only conclude that they never actually believed in either the Constitution or small government.